Chapter 222: Another Doppelganger
It was already afternoon when Max and Ron finished their wild celebration. Max had been deeply troubled by Caroline's decision to abandon their dream, so Ron had convinced her to extend their stay at the Huntington Beach resort until the next day.
The hotel's breakfast buffet was legendary, and Max readily agreed. Ron drove home alone, but as he navigated a curve on the winding coastal highway, a parked BMW caught his attention.
Of course, it wasn't just the BMW that grabbed his attention.
Although it was a '99 BMW 750iL with the premium security package—one of the first luxury sedans to feature factory bulletproofing—it was nothing special to Ron, who was used to seeing all kinds of exotic cars at Toretto's garage, even million-dollar supercars being modified without a second thought.
What really caught his eye was the driver's face. It was an exact match for his subordinate Arthur, and Deckard Shaw, who was still recovering in the federal medical facility!
Ron calmly drove around the bend and pulled over on the shoulder not far ahead. He immediately called his handler. He had just seen Arthur at the office, and Arthur was supposed to be on a date with his girlfriend today, so this person couldn't be Arthur. So...
The call connected.
"Ron, if I remember correctly, you only call me when there's something serious going down. What's the situation? Please don't tell me you're calling to wish this old spook a Merry Christmas—it's still a month away."
"Not even close," Ron said seriously. "I need to know the status on Deckard Shaw right now."
"Shaw? He's still under medical supervision at the federal facility. The docs say I can transfer him to ADX Florence in about a month. Why the sudden interest?" his handler asked with surprise.
Ron remained on edge. "Are you absolutely certain? He didn't slip your surveillance?"
"Of course not. My people aren't complete amateurs!" his handler said indignantly. "Actually, I just reviewed the security footage twenty minutes ago. He's still laid up in the secure ward at Cedars-Sinai. What's got you spooked?"
"Nothing. Talk later." Ron quickly hung up and glanced back toward the curve. The BMW was still there.
It wasn't Arthur, it wasn't Deckard Shaw. This meant, unless he was losing his mind, another person with that exact same face had appeared in Los Angeles!
Ron was starting to feel seriously overwhelmed. Things had been quiet for what—a few days? How was chaos already starting up again?!
It wasn't surprising that Ron was concerned. According to his experience, whenever someone with that face showed up, shit hit the fan. Unless some A-list actor was in town filming a movie, he had to prepare for major trouble brewing in Los Angeles!
Unfortunately, a quick Google search on his phone showed no major film productions or celebrity appearances scheduled.
"Damn it! This is just perfect! I really need to know what kind of clusterfuck is about to go down!" Ron thought for a moment, then cursed as he got out of the car and headed toward the BMW.
It wasn't that Ron was being paranoid, but based on his memory and experience, wherever that face appeared, something big was bound to happen, and the nature of Ron's job meant he couldn't just sit back and watch a situation develop without taking action.
So, rather than waiting for that unknown individual to cause problems, Ron decided to take the initiative.
Moving around the hillside that blocked his view, Ron saw the "doppelganger" place what looked like a garrote around the neck of an Asian woman, then gesture toward the brush by the roadside while saying something to her.
"Hey, last I checked, there's no law in this country that allows doing that to a woman. You want me to call 911 for you, ma'am?" Ron checked his holstered Glock one last time and stepped out from behind the rocky outcrop that had concealed him.
"Help! This psycho's kidnapping me!" the woman screamed desperately at Ron, struggling to break free from the doppelganger's grip.
Ron was on high alert, but the woman reacted quickly. Seeing Ron draw his weapon, she immediately shoved herself against him, using her body as a shield. Before Ron could even get a clear look at her face, the doppelganger lunged forward, throwing a vicious right hook straight at Ron's jaw!
As a master of close-quarters combat, how could Ron be caught off-guard by such an obvious tactic? He pushed the woman aside, throwing her behind him and taking a large step back. He blocked the punch with his free hand, then used that same hand for support, raising his gun and firing!
BANG! Ron's shot went wide!
Even as Ron raised his weapon, the doppelganger had already abandoned his attack. He rolled to the side of the car, yanking the door open to use as cover. The bullet struck the door, sending sparks flying, but it ricocheted harmlessly away.
Shit! This car is armored! I should have brought the Desert Eagle! Ron cursed silently. He was carrying a standard-issue Glock 17, which was reliable but completely useless against military-grade armor plating like this!
"Watch out!" the woman behind him shouted.
The doppelganger had taken advantage of Ron's momentary assessment to get into the car, then immediately started the engine and aimed it straight at him.
In this situation, did Ron need an amateur's warning? He didn't even bother dodging, just stood his ground and continued firing at the vehicle.
"BANG!" The first bullet slammed into the windshield, again failing to penetrate. Obviously, if the doors were armored, the glass would be bulletproof too.
Ron was just confirming his suspicions.
"BANG, BANG, BANG..." Ron fired several more rounds, aiming for the car's tires. But the angle made it nearly impossible to hit, and Ron's shots missed their mark!
The engine roared, and the BMW was about to crush Ron. He simply dove to the side, and both he and the woman rolled into the scrub brush beside the road, barely avoiding impact.
But the doppelganger wasn't giving up. He threw the car into reverse and maneuvered for a better angle. Just as the second ramming attempt was about to begin, Ron's training kicked in faster.
"CRACK!" A sharp rifle shot rang out, and the doppelganger, his combat instincts honed by years of experience, immediately ducked below the dashboard.
When he looked up again, there was a bullet hole in the passenger window, with a matching exit hole in the rear window. The doppelganger's eyes narrowed, and he immediately concluded: This operative is extremely dangerous—immediate extraction required!
VROOOOM! The doppelganger floored the accelerator again, and just when Ron thought he was committed to a final assault, the driver feinted and suddenly swerved toward the highway, narrowly avoiding Ron's follow-up shot as he disappeared down the coastal road.
Slippery bastard!
Ron cursed under his breath and turned back. "Ma'am, are you injured? Do you need me to..."
Ron's words died in his throat.
Because he actually recognized this Asian woman!
(End of Chapter)
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